You most likely didn’t do anything wrong - sometimes crap just happens while breeding despite doing everything we can to prevent it. Definitely don’t rush into surgery unless it becomes much worse - the dogs will develop arthritis down the road anyway. Scully had elbow dysplasia - she was born before screening was common, but I’ve known many of her siblings and she was the only one with a problem, so sometimes it just happens.

The other thing, is definitely get a second opinion, preferably from a specialist. When Sass was about 8 months old she was limping on a front leg after a rough play session with her sister. We took her in, and they thought they saw something in her elbow, but weren’t sure. We put her on 2 weeks of Rimadyl, she recovered quite well and then I was on pins and needles for the next year and a half until we had her OFA x-rays done which showed her elbows to be perfectly normal. Not sure what they thought they saw, but either it wasn’t there or cleared up (so not dysplasia).

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It is a big shock when a puppy family contacts you and something is wrong with a puppy. Your breeder sounds like they really care about you and their puppy, and want to stand behind the puppy. I would wait for a definitive diagnosis, second opinion, and more x rays/testing before you decline the refund, you may need it if he does need surgery or treatment and your breeder will feel like she is helping in some small way. So don't take that away from her, she offered and she meant it, and wants to help you, she will understand how you feel when you say you feel weird taking it, but she will feel worse if you don't. And I in no way wanted to insinuate that this was your fault in any way, it just happens sometimes. :-)

If you decide to submit to OFA, you will have to take x rays again, which if you go to a orthopedic specialist for an opinion, they will probably want to take their own set of film series. There is a strict protocol for identifying the dog on the x rays when they are taken, AKC number and permanent identification have to be verified and on the actual x rays. More info here:https://www.ofa.org/wp-content/uploa...hdedapp_bw.pdf

Ben had FCP type ED,, and had bone fragments ('stone in the shoe") and I would still not do surgery if I had to make choice in the future, because he went from some discomfort sometimes, to abject pain all of the time after surgery. I followed the post op guidelines to the letter, and did all I could for him, it was heartbreaking to watch him break down that way. I do realize that others may have a different result, but I work in medicine and understand the impact of entering the joint capsule and the permanent damage it does. Oh, the surgery is called Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery, (unilateral - one side, or bilateral - both sides), they rarely do an open arthrotomy procedure (vs arthroscopic) for ED.

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When I was researching Breeders prior to getting Griffin, I looked into ED quite a bit. Griffin will be two years old in March and is doing well. He is not allowed to run wild up and down stairs, jumping off things, running on unseen turf with large divits, etc. His was a repeat breeding and a pup from the first breeding apparently acquired ED at 6 months and had surgery. Clearances are all very good in this line and the research I've done indicates that ED can still happen 10%-12% of the time even with good clearances. A lot of it (maybe most?) can be environmental too.

Regarding surgery, I don't have first hand experience with a dog. From a human standpoint, I've had two ankle joint surgeries and the ankle has never been the same. That said, sometimes surgery is a must. I would probably go conservative initially and get another opinion from an Ortho and see what you're dealing with. There are a lot of supplements, drugs, braces and supports and physical therapy that can assist an arthritic joint. Even a loose joint can be helped with therapy and strengthening. Pain usually results from inflammation (synovitis) and there are tons of ways to reduce inflammation without surgery.

Wishing you and Asher all the good thoughts and MOJO I can come up with.

After reading these posts and many others in the past, you can sure tell the breeders who are NOT in it for the money-like the BYBs. The integrity of the people shows and the caring for their pups and the families is amazing (the breeders on this board). Sometimes nature just throws a curve ball for no good reason and we have to deal with it, but with the knowledge and experience of these wonderful people, it can be worked through to the best resolution possible.

I feel it an honor to be associated with these wonderful people if only to be an observer in awe of their abilities!!

My last lab had elbow dysplasia also in the front left elbow. It took me years to get the proper diagnosis. I highly recommend that you go to an orthopedist asap and have proper x-ray taken to check for it. Do not delay the surgery as it will only get worse and the prognosis for recovery will be worse.

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My last lab had elbow dysplasia also in the front left elbow. It took me years to get the proper diagnosis. I highly recommend that you go to an orthopedist asap and have proper x-ray taken to check for it. Do not delay the surgery as it will only get worse and the prognosis for recovery will be worse.

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Thanks. My vet that took the x-ray is an ortho but only specializes in back end. He is very caring and I really trust him. He told me the same as you. He wanted to send them off to a radiologist for a second look and he said if confirmed, he would then refer me to a specialist that does front end and then maybe a CT scan? I plan to move through this swiftly. When I do go to the ortho, should I ask for a 2nd opinion on his surgery recommendation? I've read so much on how surgery was immediately recommended but it may not have been wise or even the right surgery. I feel I should trust the ortho surgeon but I want the best for Asher.

I just hope my vet calls early tomorrow with the update. I'll have no focus at work.

Elbow Dysplasia

Originally Posted by SamsonsMom

Thanks. My vet that took the x-ray is an ortho but only specializes in back end. He is very caring and I really trust him. He told me the same as you. He wanted to send them off to a radiologist for a second look and he said if confirmed, he would then refer me to a specialist that does front end and then maybe a CT scan? I plan to move through this swiftly. When I do go to the ortho, should I ask for a 2nd opinion on his surgery recommendation? I've read so much on how surgery was immediately recommended but it may not have been wise or even the right surgery. I feel I should trust the ortho surgeon but I want the best for Asher.

I just hope my vet calls early tomorrow with the update. I'll have no focus at work.

In our situation Jules had fragments grinding between his bones. Surgery was necessary. But while in surgery the doc called and recommended to treat his shoulder too which was news to me. I opted to not do that since i never saw any issues with his shoulder. In the end it was his hips that gave way but the elbow never recovered to 100%. He was significantly better though. He went from at times not putting weight on it to just looking if he walked too much. I wish i would've done the surgery earlier.

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We did surgery on Maddy's bilateral ED, but she had FCP, where there are bone fragments in the joint. She was 14 months when she had surgery. She had some gimpy moments in her life, but once I found the right supplement for her, she did great.

We did surgery on Maddy's bilateral ED, but she had FCP, where there are bone fragments in the joint. She was 14 months when she had surgery. She had some gimpy moments in her life, but once I found the right supplement for her, she did great.

Good to hear.

We go on vacation 3/29 for 10 days. Headed out Outer Banks. When Samson had his TTA, I took a week off. It will be May before I can schedule another week. Sooooo, I think I will have to schedule his surgery to be done as soon as we are back from vacation and just not be able to stay home with him for the first week. I hate that thought but I do not want to delay. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself so I won't worry now. Just have to wait for the call tomorrow and then the ortho consult that will likely come soon.

We go on vacation 3/29 for 10 days. Headed out Outer Banks. When Samson had his TTA, I took a week off. It will be May before I can schedule another week. Sooooo, I think I will have to schedule his surgery to be done as soon as we are back from vacation and just not be able to stay home with him for the first week. I hate that thought but I do not want to delay. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself so I won't worry now. Just have to wait for the call tomorrow and then the ortho consult that will likely come soon.

Yes, try not to get ahead of yourself. Elbow Dysplasia (if it even is that) is kind of an umbrella diagnosis that covers different kinds of problems, some more amenable to surgery than others, so educate yourself, but don’t lock yourself into any one course of action until you have more information.